Chloro(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) or triphenylphosphinegold(I) chloride is a coordination complex with the formula (Ph3P)AuCl.

[3] The complex adopts a linear coordination geometry, which is typical of most gold(I) compounds.

[5] Triphenylphosphinegold(I) chloride is a popular stable precursor for a cationic gold(I) catalyst used in organic synthesis.

[7] As shown in the scheme below, the methyl complex Ph3PAuMe is prepared from triphenylphosphinegold(I) chloride by transmetalation with a Grignard reagent.

Further treatment of Ph3PAuMe with methyllithium displaces the phosphine ligand and generates lithium di- and tetramethylaurate, Li+[AuMe2]– and Li+[AuMe4]–, respectively.